Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence [Hardcover]

Philip W. Cook (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275958620 | ISBN-13: 978-0275958626 | Publication Date: September 30, 1997 | Edition: 1

When most people think of domestic violence, images of battered women or abused children come to mind. But there is another side to this issue that is not as familiar--abused men. This unique book is the first to comprehensively examine this important but neglected social issue. Already praised by a diverse spectrum of readers--from "Dear Abby's" Abigail Van Buren, to the nation's leading domestic violence researcher, to those in law enforcement and counseling--this work is sure to spark controversy and discussion. It offers gripping, emotional stories, self-help for victims, and provocative insight into public issues, and provides a basic reference source for professionals. Abused Men presents practical solutions for reducing domestic violence, whether its victims are male or female. Cook begins by examining the common misconceptions about this social issue and offers a wealth of what will be new information for most readers. While statistics show that 1.8 million American women are severely assaulted by their mates each year, few know that the same source indicates that 2 million men are also assaulted at home. After laying the groundwork for a serious reconsideration of how society views domestic violence, Cook allows a number of abused men to tell their stories. He then puts these experiences in the context of what therapists and others who have worked with such men know about domestic violence and how the male victim is similar to, yet different from, his female counterpart. After examining the reasons why so little is known about male abuse and the difficulties researchers encounter, Cook shows how the abused man, his friends and family, and the abusive or abused woman can come to grips with domestic violence. Drawing from a variety of sources, the final chapter brings these diverse elements together and proposes practical solutions for reducing domestic violence, whether its victims are male or female.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“For a look at the often discounted issue of partner abuse against men, read Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence by Philip W. Cook.”–Charleston Gazette/Chicago Tribune/Newsday/The Record

“Cook's achievement is admirable. Not only does he cover his topic succintly and thoroughly, meticulously documenting each step he takes, but he also delves into a number of pertinent related issues lesser authors might have missed entirely....Cook has written a remarkable, invaluable book.”–Transitions

“Cook writes in an interesting and inviting manner, the engaging style of a journalist providing an in-depth discussion of a topic that he acknowledges in controversial, emotionally laden, and in conflict with many beleifs about abuse and violence in America.”–Journal of Marriage and the Family

“[This book] reads like 1,000 Dear Abby letters...fascinating...but it explains the many aspects of domestic violence. It has a wealth of material that could be helpful to professionals who deal with domestic violence.”–"Dear Abby" Abigail Van Buren

“I am grateful to Philip Cook for writing Abused Men. This is a brave book.... [The author] brings to bear in this book his knowledge as a journalist and his evident care and compassion for all victims of domestic violence.”–Erin Pizzey Founder of Chiswick Women's Refuge Author, Scream Quietly or the Neighbors Will Hear

“This just might be the volume to get the message across finally that domestic violence is a human problem, not just a gender problem.”–R.L. McNeely, Ph.D., J.D. Attorney Professor of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

“Very thought-provoking and well researched. [This book] should aid in educating medical professionals regarding this potential diagnosis as well as help shape our legal approach.”–Kenneth H. Coleman, M.D., J.D. Attorney at Law

“Thought provoking research which will stimulate further inquiry into human behavior long neglected.”–Ronald R. Still, M.S. Chief of Police (Retired) Portland, Oregon

“Mr. Cook argues persuasively that we may be looking at only half the problem, and we're neglecting the needs of male victims. It also seems clear that much of Mr. Cook's work applies equally to abused people of either gender, and he offers practical suggestions for the abused. His solutions would impact all cases of domestic violence and are well worth our consideration.”–Rob Solomon Licensed Professional Counselor Author, Full-Esteem Ahead

“Perhaps with this book, Philip Cook can accomplish what academics have for the past 25 years failed to do--to cut through the political rhetoric and finally present the case of abused men as a real social problem. Cook goes beyond the issue of battered males as he sheds incredible insight into the systemic problem of family violence. Perhaps now, couples experiencing violence in their relationships can be helped. His case material sadly brings to life the statistics researchers generate.”–Reena Sommer, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba Family Counselor

“I find Abused Men most appealing because of the rigorous research upon which the findings are based. There is nothing that is not fully substantiated by data...I appreciate the balance achieved in addressing a topic, usually ignored, in an era of accusations and hysteria that often detracts from the actual aggression and violence that affects domestic relations. This book is a real contribution that will help in the education of all professionals in the field of sociology and mental health.”– Stanley G. Sturges, M.D. Medical Director CareMark Behavioral Health Services

“Unique. The case materials presented are gripping, and need to be part of the historical and social record. It is a book likely to be helpful to many men, and if action is taken on the agenda outlined in the final chapter, to our country as a whole.”–Murray A. Straus, Ph.D Co-Director Family Research Laboratory University of New Hampshire

About the Author

PHILIP W. COOK is a former broadcast journalist who won awards for his reporting from the Associated Press and The Professional Journalism Society, and is a scholarship recipient of the Radio Television News Directors Association.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Trade; 1 edition (September 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275958620
• ISBN-13: 978-0275958626
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Abused men feel pain too, December 16, 2002

By 

graeme (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence (Hardcover)

Congratulations for writing a book on this subject. You may save some lives. I work for a voluntary organisation in the UK called ManKind that helps male victims of domestic violence, as until we set up this chairty last year there was nowhere for abused men to turn. Some of the other reviews here show a major problem we have: wherever we go to try for funding or even charity status we seem to meet people who say: no, abused men don't exist, or that if they do they ask for it, or they enjoy it (when I have received a phone call from a man in tears who has just been stabbed in the arm and thrown out of his (their) home with his (their) two children, I can't believe that people can make this claim), or they should be able to look after themselves. What matters is that being abused, verbally or physically, by someone who you love or who you are in a relationship with, is absolutely terrible, about the worst thing that will happen to anyone unfortunate to experience it. I know because it happened to me last year, out of the blue, but it trapped me and took me to the edge of a cliff. This abusive relationship (I'm 6ft andover 12stone, she's 5ft 4in and 8 stone) left me with more than 100 bruises and cuts, three bust ribs and mental scars that will take years to heal. NEVER ONCE DID I HOLD HER, THREATEN HER OR HIT HER BACK. I believe she is very unwell and was, as is often the case in abusive relationships, hitting someone else (in her mind) when she hit me. Incidentally, ManKind chairty has started to help female abusers as there is nowhere they can turn in the UK either - further evidence that this problem has just been ignored until now. Now if you still believe that men are making up this problem, does that mean the many calls I've had from women who regret and can't understand verbally abusing and physically beating their male partners are just made up too? Abusive violence in all its terrible forms degrades, harms, creates a cycle of violence, and kills - and WE SHOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER TO STOP IT. By helping fill a gap and make people aware that men are battered too (and it's usually the caring type of men who fall into being abused as they stay around hoping they can help) and need help and helping them, and that female abusers need help too, certainly the charity I work for is in no way meaning to take any resources or energy or attention from groups helping abused women or abusive men. I would ask those who feel this way to think about a man (that is; a son, a husband, a friend, a colleague, a daddy, a human being) who has lost sense of himself, is being controlled and used by another human being to project their bad feelings onto, and is feeling suicidal (I have heard of men who have committed suicide over the abuse they have been given, made worse by the fact that they were not aware that this does happen, thus increasing their sense of isolation and "wimpishness"), and put their energies to helping to bring harmony where there is harm, light where there is darkness, love where there is hate, and hope where there is despair.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate Violence: The Case of Abused Men, April 25, 2003

By 

Eugen Lupri (Cochrane, Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence (Hardcover)

Philip Cook's Abused Men  is well conceived, well documented, and well written; it is an excellent source book for both perpetrators and victims of domestic violence as well as for  police officers, community leaders, health care providers, family therapists, crisis-line workers, and other helping professionals. Another positive aspect of this book is Cook's  ability to make research findings on male abuse and its consequences accessible and understandable for readers new to the field of domestic violence. The book can serve as an eye opener about the factions, disagreements, and controversy that are part of the issue of domestic violence.

Eugen Lupri, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Sociology
The University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful and informative, December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence (Hardcover)

If the woman in your life is out to get you, you must read this book. It is extremely helpful and the only book I know of exclusively on the subject of husband/boyfriend battering by women. The statistics in this book are surprising and the stories of the abused men in this book are its strongest point. This is really a breakthrough book.